Infarction Overview: Myocardial & Cerebral

Study Notes

Infarction

Myocardial Infarction

Definition: A type of heart attack caused by the blockage of blood flow to a part of the heart muscle.
Causes:
- Coronary artery disease (most common)
- Blood clots
- Severe spasm of a coronary artery
Risk Factors:
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Smoking
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Family history

Cerebral Infarction

Definition: A type of stroke caused by the interruption of blood supply to the brain, leading to tissue death.
Types:
- Ischemic stroke (most common): Caused by a blockage (thrombosis or embolism).
- Transient ischemic attack (TIA): Temporary interruption, often a warning sign.
Risk Factors:
- High blood pressure
- Atrial fibrillation
- High cholesterol
- Diabetes
- Smoking
- Obesity

Causes of Infarction

Common Causes:
- Atherosclerosis: Build-up of plaque in arteries.
- Thrombosis: Blood clot formation in blood vessels.
- Embolism: A clot or debris that travels and lodges in a vessel.
- Vasospasm: Sudden constriction of blood vessels.
Other Contributing Factors:
- Diabetes
- High cholesterol
- Smoking
- Family history of vascular diseases

Symptoms and Diagnosis

Symptoms of Myocardial Infarction:
- Chest pain or discomfort (often radiating to arm, neck, or jaw)
- Shortness of breath
- Nausea or vomiting
- Cold sweat
- Lightheadedness or dizziness
Symptoms of Cerebral Infarction:
- Sudden numbness or weakness in face, arm, or leg (especially on one side)
- Confusion or trouble speaking
- Difficulty seeing in one or both eyes
- Difficulty walking, dizziness, or loss of balance
Diagnosis:
- Medical history and physical examination
- Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG)
- Blood tests (e.g., troponin levels for myocardial infarction)
- Imaging studies (CT or MRI for cerebral infarction)

Treatment Options

Myocardial Infarction:
- Medications:
  - Antiplatelets (e.g., aspirin, clopidogrel)
  - Thrombolytics (clot busters)
  - Anticoagulants
  - Beta-blockers
  - Statins
- Procedures:
  - Angioplasty and stenting
  - Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG)
Cerebral Infarction:
- Medications:
  - Thrombolytics (within a specific time frame)
  - Anticoagulants and antiplatelets
- Rehabilitation:
  - Physical therapy
  - Occupational therapy
  - Speech therapy
- Surgical options (if necessary) to relieve pressure or repair blood vessels.

Myocardial Infarction

Heart attack resulting from blood flow blockage to heart muscle.
Primary cause is coronary artery disease, with additional causes including blood clots and severe coronary artery spasms.
Key risk factors include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, obesity, a sedentary lifestyle, and family history of heart disease.

Cerebral Infarction

Stroke caused by disrupted blood supply to the brain, resulting in tissue death.
Most common type is ischemic stroke, caused by blockages due to thrombosis or embolism.
Transient ischemic attack (TIA) serves as a temporary interruption and often indicates potential future strokes.
Risk factors mirror those of myocardial infarction, including high blood pressure, atrial fibrillation, high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, and obesity.

Causes of Infarction

Atherosclerosis involves plaque build-up in arteries, leading to blockages.
Thrombosis refers to the formation of blood clots within blood vessels.
Embolism occurs when a clot or debris migrates and obstructs a blood vessel.
Vasospasm involves sudden constriction of blood vessels, impeding blood flow.
Other contributing factors include diabetes, high cholesterol, smoking, and familial history of vascular diseases.

Symptoms and Diagnosis

Symptoms of myocardial infarction comprise chest pain or discomfort that may radiate to the arm, neck, or jaw, shortness of breath, nausea, cold sweats, and dizziness.
Symptoms for cerebral infarction include sudden numbness or weakness in one side of the body, confusion, difficulty speaking, visual disturbances, and balance issues.
Diagnosis includes a comprehensive medical history, physical examination, ECG/EKG monitoring, blood tests to check troponin levels, and imaging studies such as CT or MRI.

Treatment Options

Myocardial infarction treatment utilizes various medications, including antiplatelets like aspirin, thrombolytics (clot busters), anticoagulants, beta-blockers, and statins.
Procedures for myocardial infarction include angioplasty with stenting and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).
Cerebral infarction treatment includes thrombolytics, anticoagulants, antiplatelets, and rehabilitation therapies such as physical, occupational, and speech therapy.
Surgical interventions may be necessary to relieve pressure or repair damaged blood vessels in cerebral infarctions.

Description

Explore the definitions, causes, and risk factors associated with myocardial and cerebral infarction. This quiz covers critical information about heart attacks and strokes, including their types and common causes. Test your knowledge on how these conditions develop and their impact on health.